Dreaming Up Disneyland

Walt Disney walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle
© Disney

Hello, friends!

Recently I was inspired by Uncle Walt's dream of creating a place where parents and their children could have fun together. Walt Disney dreamed up the idea of Disneyland on a park bench while watching his daughters ride the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round.

King Arthur Carousel at Disneyland Park
© Disney 

"Well, it came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always daddy's day with the two daughters. So we'd start out and try to go someplace, you know, different things, and I'd take them to the merry-go-round and I took them different places and as I'd sit while they rode the merry-go-round and did all these things—sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts—I felt that there should be something built, some kind of amusement enterprise built, where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that's how Disneyland started. Well, it took many years … it was a period of maybe 15 years developing. I started with many ideas, threw them away, started all over again. And eventually it evolved into what you see today at Disneyland. But it all started from a daddy with two daughters wondering where he could take them where he could have a little fun with them, too."

This quote from the Walt Disney is a wonderful insight into Walt's dreams of Disneyland. Knowing that he wanted a place where parents could have fun with their children is what makes my love of Disney Parks so strong. Walt was a family man and wanted families to have fun together.

When my wife and I take our children to Walt Disney World we are instantly thrown into a magical land where we're as young and full of wonder as our kids. Each visit creates new memories for our family and we are grateful for the special time together. Walt knew a place like Disneyland would allow these special moments to take place, and they do year after year for millions of families worldwide. Thanks again, Uncle Walt. You've given us so much over the years.

Have a magical day everyone!
Bob

*This post originally appeared on MagicalDaddy.com as part of Bob's Walt Wednesdays series.